Georgetown Fair Ambassador entrants sought

A former Georgetown Fair Ambassador has fond memories of her year in the role and is encouraging other area young people to sign up for the competition. Arden MacLean, 23, was ambassador in 1999/2000 and continues to help run the program. "It's a wonderful opportunity," said MacLean. "It's such a consistent event and really does bring everybody together." MacLean said in the past turnout for the event has not been as high as organizers have hoped for. "I think people don't understand the value of the opportunity," said MacLean, now a student at the University of Calgary Law School. She said everything she took from her year as ambassador was "very, very positive," and the title looks great on a resume and university/college application. This year's competition will be held during the fair on Friday, September 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to 16 to 21-yearold female and male residents of Georgetown and the surrounding area. The competition consists of a five-minute interview with the judges, two-minute speech on one of several different topics provided in advance and an impromptu question (from a variety of topics also provided in advance). MacLean stressed that the competition is "not a beauty contest." "I think personality has a lot to do with it, and being a polished speaker," said MacLean. Contestants will be eligible for prizes from many sponsors such as Hallmark, Bank of Montreal, J.V. Clothing and Young's Pharmacy. One of the main duties of the ambassador is to serve as a representative and public relations person during the fair, but the ambassador also represents the fair throughout the year. "Your basic duty is to promote the program," said MacLean. She said for example, ambassadors are called upon to discuss the fair and its importance to local school children. They also represent the fair in the Canada Day and Santa Claus parades. The ambassador will also have the chance to attend a three-day convention with other fair ambassadors from across Ontario at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The Georgetown ambassador will also be eligible to compete in the Annual CNE Ambassadors of the Fairs competition. Anyone interested in participating in the Georgetown Fair 2006 Ambassador Competition should enter by September 5 by calling Arden or Valerie MacLean at 905-8770015 or Kenda Nurse at 905-877-0537.